The smoke from a distant Canadian wildfire has been getting in the eyes of Kentuckians. It’s created a concern for those with health conditions. Somewhat unusual weather conditions have brought wildfires north of the border to the Commonwealth.
Residents of Kentucky have faced air quality alert warnings this week as Canadian smoke filters down into the state. Jerry Brotzge is the state climatologist. Brotzge said a stuck high-pressure system in Canada fuels the smoke and then there’s been an absence of a typical summertime weather maker, a southerly flow of heat and humidity.
“This summer so far, we’ve had a lot of northerly air which is cooler, where this month we’re seeing temperatures across Kentucky several degrees below average, which has been nice most days. But, of course with that, this year, we have the smoke with it too,” said Brotzge.
Brotzge said the number of fires worldwide has actually been declining. And he points out a large percentage of fires are started by human activity including arson.
Brotzge said the smoke should clear out with a forecast calling for a little more heat, humidity, and a threat of storms and rain through the weekend.
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